Darwin - Doorway To Australia

Original archival synopsis: The Japanese bombed Darwin many times during World War II because it was strategically important target number one in their attack on the Australian mainland. Before the war, Darwin was little known except to the crews of pearling luggers and cattlemen. During the war it become an important air base which contributed much to the success of General MacArthur's island-hopping campaign against Japan. Today Darwin is an aerial port of call for all planes travelling either from Europe or the Far East to Australia. The Darwin touchdown is, in fact, for many travellers the first sight of the Australian continent. The film shows Darwin as it is today (1949), much ravaged by Japanese attack during World War II, but already showing signs of building activity and general recovery. The film indicates the general life of the town and also explains the plan which will make Darwin a model city of which Australia will be very proud.

[@stephenwassell3650]

I fell in love with Darwin when i visited some 6 years ago - can't explain it but it has a charm unlike other Australian cities.

[@uslines]

wonderful viewing Darwin again...pretty much as I remember it from 1959. Was USAF on a good-will mission with flight of aircraft set up for public viewing on several airports. I preferred Darwin. Good people, all.

[@shrinidhvyas6094]

I am a migrant from India, came here in 2016, I love watching nfsa videos

[@NFSAFilms]

Thank you very much for the kind feedback. We have lots more to come.

[@shrinidhvyas6094]

@@NFSAFilms will wait :)

[@peterbassett8647]

Qantas sounding its fabulous best in the last 5 minutes, thankyou.

[@tozzarozza]

This film was actually made in 1946, not 1949, the same year Namatjira the Painter was made (1946) by the same director, Lee Robinson

[@NFSAFilms]

tozzarozza Hi, thanks for your comment. You are most likely correct as Ralph Foster left Australia in 1946. However the film credits and related documents we have are all dated 1949. Sometimes films were made earlier than their release date. But we go by the release date on the film credits. Namatjira is listed as being made in 1947. Lee is credited as assistant director.

[@tozzarozza]

NFSA Films Lee Robinson was credited as assistant Director due to the original british director not being able to handle the central Australian temperatures and left Alice Springs a few days after filming commenced, Lee called his superiors in Sydney to explain the Directors departure, of course this caused major problems, which Lee had a solution, he would Direct the film himself as he was already in Alice with Cameraman Axel Poingant. Lee and Axel remained in Alice for 5 months filming Namatjira the Painter.

[@NFSAFilms]

tozzarozza Thanks for that information, very helpful and I will add it to the database. You sound like you might be ex CFU?

[@450hp202turbo]

@Seattlecarnut lol haha

[@tittymumma]

Just love that constant bogan catchcry "I'm born and bred Territorian". So what, do want a little gold star to stick on your chest.

[@silentsketcher_97]

Boo hoo.